Like when a federal judge comes into your state and shoves gay marriage down the people's throats, for example. I think a little bit of discomfort is justified when activist judges give a middle finger to democratic principles.

But creepy stuff happens in nowhere

I don't know if I'd say it's easier though. Getting along with people who think differently than you requires that you develop very mature methods of dealing with cognitive dissonance. That may be one of the hardest things to do.

You're not perfect...

No one's holding a gun to your head and making you do anything. But they were single and childless once. Now they have kids, and having experienced both, they know which life they enjoy more. They're just trying to offer advice.
Why be bothered by someone trying to help you? If you don't want to take the advice, don't. Just don't be ungrateful little pricks about it. That's all I'm saying.

Basically it's just a really expensive band-aid that doesn't actually solve any problems.

Beat me to it

Well, having it earned is a part of the definition you're using, so obviously. I guess we're maybe just talking about different kinds/levels of respect then. In that case we're probably not so different after all. :)

Because they were made a big deal for a reason, and not everyone agrees with the reason. Basically.

Like you said, respect is internal. Submission isn't the same, because respect is more of an attitude than a behavior. I guess the biggest way I disagree with your approach is that I believe respect should be freely given at first, at a generous level. That person's actions as you get to know them may raise or lower it, but I think it's best to have respect be the default setting.

I'm sorry, lime, that's just a silly thing to say. Penguins didn't and can't "overcome tradition." They have no concept of tradition to begin with. Animals, generally speaking, also have no concept of higher morality. That's why we don't pattern our thought patterns after the behavior of creatures with brains that are far less advanced than ours. If animals were our role models, we would start doing all kinds of terrible things to each other.

Well, either someone has to do it first or we all have to start doing it together at the exact same time. The latter probably isn't going to happen though. I believe in taking personal responsibility for your own actions. Don't let anyone else determine whether you are going to be respectful or not. That's basically what I mean by "unconditional." It's when you decide that you are going to be the best person you can and treat everyone how you would like to be treated, regardless of how they treat you. It's just like unconditional love, really. It's saying, "I may not agree with everything you do, but I love and respect you anyway, and I want what's best for you, and I will do anything I can to help you be happy."

You're okay, pink. You are technically right, there are two aides to every story. And somebody has to be the advocate for the sinner, after all. We have to remember that she is a person too, and is probably going through serious issues. She deserves the same love and respect that all humans do. That doesn't mean that the guy did anything to provide the attack, it just means that there's obviously more going on here than just a bad temper. Maybe a disorder of some kind. I pity this woman.

Of course. I just think it's also important to remember that children are immensely indebted to their parents and teachers.
Overall though, I think we have to be really careful with these ideas. Demanding that someone respect you before you respect them is a violation of the categorical imperative, as it would lead to a world where nobody respects or loves anybody. We have to be careful we don't let it get that far. It is better to be one who respects others unconditionally.

That's a nice idea, witty, but that's just not how it looks. Our pop culture has become one that hates majorities and exalts the oddballs. There's something wrong with that.